Ravens top Steelers, take two-game division lead

Had someone told you the Ravens would finish with 200 yards and no offensive touchdowns against the Steelers, any chance you’d believe they’d win?

Well, they did just that at Heinz Field tonight, coming up with a 13-10 victory that gives them some breathing room atop the the AFC North with six games to go.

Baltimore is now 8-2 while Pittsburgh slipped to 6-4.

As I mentioned, this wasn’t a game for lovers of offense. The Ravens finished with just 200 yards, just 47 on the ground and just 64 total in the second half.

The Steelers didn’t do much better, gaining 311 yards. They were burned by three turnovers, which the Ravens turned into six points, and were held to just three points after finding the end zone on their second play of the game.

The Ravens entered the night 26th in the league with 390.2 yards allowed per game.

“It lived up to the expectations. It was definitely a physical battle,” he said on the broadcast after the game. “We’re just fortunate to get the victory.”

Jacoby Jones provided the decisive play of the game with his third return for a touchdown this season and first via punt return.

Jones brought this one back 63 yards in the first quarter to give Baltimore a 10-7 lead the team never relinquished.

“Everyone did a great job of blocking,” Jones said on the television broadcast.

The Ravens and Steelers won’t have to wait long to meet again, as they face each other at M&T Bank Stadium in two weeks. Baltimore travels to San Diego in between while Pittsburgh visits the Browns.

This win, the Ravens’ third straight, could provide Baltimore with a little comfort as it approaches the stretch run. The Ravens could potentially clinch the AFC North crown with four games to go if they win their next two games, the Steelers lose their next two and the Bengals lose once.

So with Ben Roethlisberger missing, the Ravens’ defense came through for an impressive and physical showing - one of its best this season - right when the team needed it.